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Realising the right to sufficient water in South Africa's Cities

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Conclusion

Although substantial financial commitments are being made by government towards improving the backlog in urban water provision there are a number of policy concerns which may hamper the full realisation of the goal of adequate. water supply for all. Research findings suggest that current infrastructure levels may be too low to ensure consumption levels sufficient for the protection of public health. Further consideration of the relationship between minimum service levels and consumption levels should be undertaken to ensure that enough water is being used by those with access to only the minimum level of water infrastructure.

In addition, financial policy for urban water supply has yet to find a conclusive balance between local revenue generation and cost recovery on the one hand, and central and local government subsidisation on the other. A smoother co-ordination of broad municipal investment and financing policy with water supply and pricing policy will help to ensure that a consistent and clear approach to both the financing of urban water supply and to the expected payments by poor households is generated. Until there is policy co-ordination at this level, significant discretion will remain with local government which will not in all cases have the financial resources—or the political will—to act in the interests of the poorest and most poorly served residents.

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Authors
  1. Michael Goldblatt
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Goldblatt, M. Realising the right to sufficient water in South Africa's Cities. Urban Forum 8, 255–276 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03036772

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